Abra signs new deal with power company

BAGUIO CITY—Abra has persuaded its power supplier to serve the province once more, with the help of the Department of Energy (DOE) and various government agencies which have expressed concern about the impact of a power crisis in the May elections.

Aboitiz Power Renewables Inc. (Apri) has signed a new power supply agreement with Abra Electric Cooperative (Abreco), whose outstanding debts led to Apri’s pullout on Jan. 10, said Ria Calleja, Aboitiz Power assistant vice president for branding and communications.

The new deal is a short-term monthly contract with specified payment terms that requires Abreco to pay Apri every 18th, 22nd, 26th and 30th of each month, Calleja said in a text message.

Abreco earlier reneged on a debt payment scheme and owed Apri about P56 million.

But these debts have been paid before Apri agreed to start with a new supply agreement, said Calleja.

The contract starts this month, she said.

Apri took part in a Feb. 5 dialogue with officials of Abreco, the DOE, the Office of the President, government agencies that oversee power generation and distribution, and Abra officials, led by Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin and Abra Rep. Ma. Jocelyn Bernos. Most of the deals were crafted during the meeting.

Abreco also sealed separate debt agreements with its other creditors, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, which administers the Luzon power grid, and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

The power sector agencies gave Abreco three months to correct its management system and fulfill all of its obligations.

The new agreements helped ease tension in Abra, said Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, Cordillera police director. Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon